1,000 families from Delhi’s Kathputli Colony to get flats in Narela

Initially, the authority registered about 2,600 families to be rehabilitated but it got 1,200 more applications after it decided to accommodate additional families by extending its cutoff date from January 31, 2011 to January 1, 2015.

With the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) promising to accommodate every ‘eligible’ family from Kathputli Colony under its in-situ rehabilitation plan, about 1,000 dwellers are set to get flats in the Narela housing project.

Initially, the authority registered about 2,600 families to be rehabilitated but it got 1,200 more applications after it decided to accommodate additional families by extending its cutoff date from January 31, 2011 to January 1, 2015. (Saumya Khandelwal/HT PHOTO)

A senior official of the authority said two pockets with 1,800 economically weaker section (EWS) category flats in Narela have been reserved for them.

Initially, the authority registered about 2,600 families to be rehabilitated but it got 1,200 more applications after it decided to accommodate additional families by extending its cutoff date from January 31, 2011 to January 1, 2015.

The deadline was changed as per the mandate of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (housing for all) of the Centre and Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) guidelines.

JP Agarwal, principal commissioner (land and housing), said DDA will ensure all bona fide residents of the colony get rehabilitated.

“We will get the land vacated by the end of this month. Then it will be handed over to the developer. The project will be completed within two years. As per the agreement, they will construct 2,800 flats for us. We have decided to rehabilitate additional applicants at Narela housing project, which is under construction. If one does not wish to move to Narela, the agency may allow flats exchange if both parties agree mutually. Our aim is that people should be happy and satisfied under the rules,” he said.

“Land reclamation process takes time. The situation deteriorated as political parties also jumped into the matter,” Agarwal said.

Under in-situ slum rehabilitation policy for slum dwellers, the DDA is also constructing EWS flats at two more locations — Kalkaji and Jailorwala Bagh near Ashok Vihar.

“Kalkaji project is 50% complete while Jailorwala Bagh is just 5%-7%. We are hopeful, we will be able to initiate the Kathputli colony project within two months after clearing the land,” he said.